Addressing RP's democratic deficit.

(From Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Byline: Paul D. Hutchcroft and Joel Rocamora

MORE than 35 million Filipinos voted last May 10. But it will be a few weeks before the official outcome of one of the most archaic voting systems in the world-where hand-written paper ballots are counted manually-is known.

In their decades-old fight against the infamous trio of "gold, guns and goons," civic movements throughout the country work valiantly to promote clean elections. As always, they face many challenges. Vote-buying was probably no more rampant than usual, but there have been more persons killed this election season-147 thus far-than in the previous two presidential elections combined. In the process of updating the voter lists, nearly a million citizens were denied the right to vote.

As official election tallies begin their long migration from local precincts to Manila, losing politicians can use a variety of tactics to supplement retail vote-buying with wholesale manipulation of the vote count.

Incumbent President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo began the campaign with limited support but is emerging as the victor. Ms Macapagal proved to be an indefatigable campaigner, highly adept in deploying the many advantages of incumbency, and cutting deals with local politicians and religious sects with significant command votes.

This broad base of support adds credence to Palace claims that she won the election fairly, and enables her to grasp the legitimacy that has been denied her since 2001-when she assumed office via a popular uprising. Her challengers promise to bring forth evidence of cheating, but the bigger her winning margin, the more unlikely that the protests will gain adherents. US election observers have been quick to provide a favorable assessment of electoral conduct. At this early stage in the vote count, it seems that the country will avoid the post-election instability that many had feared.